Geotechnical investigations are performed to obtain data on physical characteristics of soil/rock around a site to design earthworks & proposed structures, or to support the repair of distressed earthworks/structures caused by subsurface issues.
Geotechnical investigation is a preliminary yet vital step to any civil engineering or building project.
Arab Geotech for Soil Investigation Laboratories LLC is in the business of enhancing engineering projects through "Soil Investigation Testing and Evaluation" beginning at the soil foundation.
The function of a properly designed foundation is to support loads resting on it without causing excessive stresses within the soil mass at any depth beneath foundation. Stresses are considered excessive if a complete rupture within the soil mass occurs (Shear failure), or if detrimental settlements result (failure due to excessive settlement). Therefore, it is apparent that one of the most important steps in the solution of a foundation problem is determining underground conditions that will affect the design. Field and laboratory investigations required to obtain necessary information about geology, hydrology, and soil conditions; geotechnical properties of soil at the prospective building site, and the performance of various soil types encountered when acted upon by structural loads, water and temperature are called geotechnical/ sub-surface investigations.
Geotechnical investigations are influenced by a number of factors, some of these are:
Size And Type Of The Project
General Characteristics Of The Soils In The Work Area
Time Available For Exploration
Degree Of Risk Or Safety Involved
Tall buildings or heavy industrial structures founded over a deposit of fairly homogeneous clay require an extensive soil investigation.
An erratic soil mass is one in which the soil or soil strata are not uniform or consistent in properties, elevation, thickness, or extent. In the case of erratic strata it is very difficult to have an accurate picture of the subsurface as it require an infinite number of boring and tests. In such cases only the location and extent of the weaker strata and lenses and possibly the properties of these weak soils are determined.
The degree of risk or safety involved will be another governing factor in the extent and thoroughness of soil survey. Failure of a dam, for example, can take many lives and cause virtually irreparable property damage. To a lesser degree the same is true for tall buildings, bridges and many industrial structures. Soil conditions for these structures must be carefully and thoroughly investigated. On the other hand the damage caused by road pavement failure or large overall settlements of Storage tanks is relatively minor, and a greater degree of risk is justified. However, it is emphasized that even light structures, such as private dwellings and filling stations cannot be expected to remain stable if founded on loose or compressible soils, and a soil investigation is warranted prior to the design and construction of a light structure, as well as for projects involving greater loads and larger investments.
Adequate and accurate sub-surface data will enable architects and engineers to design foundations for both safety and economy.
Geotechnical investigations may be subdivided into three classes:
A-Foundation Investigations To Investigate Sites For New Structures.
B-Stability Or Failure Investigations To Investigate Causes Of Distress Or Failure Of Existing Structures.
C-Earthwork Investigations To Evaluate Suitability Of Natural Materials For Construction Purposes.
